Billionaire and spiritual icon Aga Khan passes away
Billionaire philanthropist and spiritual leader Aga Khan passed away at the age of 88. His charity, the Aga Khan Development Network, announced his death on social media. The prince died peacefully in Lisbon, Portugal, surrounded by his family.
Aga Khan was the 49th hereditary imam of the Ismaili Muslims, a Shia Muslim sect with around 15 million followers worldwide. He succeeded his grandfather as imam at 20 and held the position for over six decades. Known for his humanitarian work, the Aga Khan spearheaded numerous charitable projects, particularly in education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation across the developing world. His legacy includes hospitals, cultural restoration projects, and educational institutions.
His wealth, including a private island in the Bahamas, a super-yacht, and a private jet, was built through various business interests, such as horse breeding. He founded the Aga Khan Foundation and the Nation Media Group in East Africa. His charity work extended to restoring historic sites, like Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi, and funding major academic programs.
Aga Khan’s philanthropic work earned praise from leaders worldwide. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed him as a “man of vision, faith, and generosity.” Malala Yousafzai, a Nobel Prize laureate, praised his contributions to education, health, and global development. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called him “a symbol of peace, tolerance, and compassion.”
Apart from his charity, the Aga Khan was a prominent racehorse owner. He bred Shergar, once the world’s most famous and valuable racehorse. Shergar’s victory at the Epsom Derby in 1981 became a lasting memory for the Aga Khan. Despite the horse’s tragic kidnapping in 1983, the Aga Khan remained dedicated to his breeding operation and won the Derby four more times.
The Aga Khan Development Network will announce his successor soon, who will be one of his male descendants. His death marks the end of an era for both the Ismaili Muslim community and his global charitable work.
